British travellers will have to pay a new fee to enter the United States without a visa from 8 September 2010.

The US Department of Homeland Security have announced that applications for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) will cost $14. This was previously a free service.

The Visa Waiver Programme enables people from 36 countries, including the UK, to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. However, such travellers are required to obtain an ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. Once approved it lasts for two years.

Travellers should register through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA.

Read all of our travel advice for the US.